U.S. House Speaker Johnson Enforces Bathroom Ban for Trans Women in Capitol

In a controversial move, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Wednesday that transgender women will be barred from using women’s restrooms within parts of the U.S. Capitol complex. This directive follows heightened scrutiny from some House Republicans directed at Rep.-elect Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender individual elected to Congress.

Johnson’s statement emphasizes that public, single-sex facilities are exclusive to individuals of their biological sex. He did not clarify how this policy would be enforced, raising immediate questions from lawmakers.

“All single-sex facilities in the Capitol and House Office Buildings—restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms—are reserved for individuals of that biological sex,” stated Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana. He further indicated the availability of private restrooms for each member’s office and highlighted unisex restrooms throughout the Capitol. “Women deserve women’s only spaces,” he asserted, underscoring his stance against recognizing trans women by their gender identity.

The announcement elicited a muted response from most House Democrats. However, Rep. Mark Pocan from Wisconsin raised concerns regarding the practicality of the enforcement. “Will the Sergeant at Arms post officers in bathrooms?” he questioned. “This policy isn’t going to protect anyone—but it will open the door to rampant abuse, harassment, and discrimination in the Capitol.”

The order can be seen as a direct reaction to McBride’s recent election. Her historic victory as a Delaware Democrat has sparked backlash from a segment of the House Republican Conference that criticized her gender identity and pressured Johnson to restrict her restroom access.

South Carolina Republican Nancy Mace introduced a resolution that echoed Johnson’s language earlier in the week, explicitly targeting McBride. Speaking on Fox News, Mace expressed her concerns regarding women’s safety in private spaces. “I’m a survivor of rape, sexual violence, and abuse, and I know how deeply vulnerable women are in places where we feel we have a right to privacy,” she stated.

Despite opposition from trans rights advocates, who point to a lack of evidence linking access to bathroom facilities with increased risks of sexual assault, the narrative continues to gain traction among certain political circles. A 2019 study from Harvard University concluded that restricting trans teens from using bathrooms matching their gender identity actually heightened the risk of sexual assault against trans individuals.

In a response to the restroom policy, McBride expressed her compliance despite her disagreement. She framed the issue as a diversion from critical concerns facing constituents, stating, “I’m not here to fight about bathrooms. I’m here to fight for Delawareans and to bring down costs facing families.” McBride characterized the Republican focus on such policies as revealing an inability to address more substantive issues facing Americans.

Other Democrats echoed this sentiment, with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries highlighting tactics aimed at “bullying” McBride. As the situation unfolds, the rhetoric surrounding it appears indicative of broader tensions within Congress regarding trans rights.

Notably, former Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who leads the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, condemned Johnson’s announcement. On Transgender Day of Remembrance, Parker called the order “bigoted and transphobic.” She criticized the timing, asserting the policy will harm employees in the Capitol and is both short-sighted and dangerous.

As members of Congress navigate these complex issues, the ongoing discussions reflect broader societal debates about gender identity, rights, and safety, extending well beyond the hallways of the Capitol.

Last updated 2:09 p.m., Nov. 20, 2024